E-mail Sam: senslom@capitol.hawaii.gov

My first year in the Legislature is over (Thank God!) three more years to go, and I have several reactions and memorable experiences already. Being in office has not changed my original belief that I am not, nor could be, a successful "politician." I am and will remain an entrepreneur. And soccer coach! The principles and priorities prior to running for office and winning election, are still safely a part of me. Friends warned: (1) I was going to be frustrated during the past four months. I wasn't; I had been frustrated for the past 35 years; now I feel there is a real chance to make a difference on the inside; (2) friends said, as a Minority Republican, I would be ignored. My Democratic colleagues were generally friendly, helpful and supportive. Obviously, some more than others. Many listened and even voted with me. They offered cooperation and a chance to be part of serious deliberations. (I was glad I was in the Senate where free speech and debate are still honored, as opposed to the State House where Minority Leader Gene Ward was thrown out by maniacal Speaker Joe Souki). I served on 5 of 10 major committees and had good attendance and active participation. One person always can make a difference if he or she works hard, does their homework, is consistent, honest, and unafraid to be a risk-taker. (3) Many people asked if I were 'having fun.' Fun? I wasn't sent there to enjoy myself; I was sent to work hard and make change. I tried to see everyone who wanted to be seen, talk to all who wanted to be heard, and return all phone calls promptly. This in addition to my business, SBH, and my family. Having fun and trying to be popular is not part of the game plan. We didn't accomplish all that I would have liked, and I am still a critic of government and a strong proponent of privatization, but I think some groundwork is there for greater change next year. And the next. It's up to the voters and business community. I will do everything possible to encourage more business-experienced women and men to run for office in '98. Interested? Call me, anytime.

John Waihee, former Governor, race car driver, looter of Hawaii's cash surplus, attorney-lobbyist, now says he might like to become a part-time DJ or talk show host as he is part of an investment group purchasing the KUMU radio stations. I'm sure Rush Limbaugh is scared stiff.

Also reportedly for sale is KHVH radio and other stations owned by Patterson Broadcasting, to a Texas firm for a cool $215 million.

Mid-May is national "Tax Freedom Day" when you finally have paid all your taxes for the year and begin to earn money for yourself. In Hawaii, you must wait until June.

Hope you read A.A. Smyser's Honolulu Star-Bulletin 8-part series on New Zealand. NZ made a miraculous governmental change and offers lessons and hope for Hawaii too.

May is also National Physical Fitness Month and member Ann Noyes' Jacki's Aerobic Dancing is offering SBH members a 2-for- 1 "bring a friend" fitness special. Ann is a 1997 award recipient from the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, signed by co-chair Florence Griffith Joyner. Call Ann at 941-0390 and get in shape!

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Lloyd R. Vasey, founder and former president and CEO of Pacific Forum, was awarded Hawaii Pacific University's highest honor for community service and dedication to higher education, the "Fellow of the Pacific."

Two women were reportedly injured in a State Capitol elevator mishap on Friday, April 18. The women complained of neck and back pain after the elevator reportedly "lurched." Any of us who have ever ridden these slowest elevators in the State, find it hard to comprehend, but then, this might qualify for a no-fault vehicle insurance claim, with deep pockets.

Look for another surgical dissection of Hawaii's economy-and politics-from Forbes. Associate editor Seth Lubove was here last month and talked to many business leaders. He saw our lawmakers in action too.

There is some good news here: Meadow Gold Dairies was able to mark its 100th anniversary in business in Hawaii while Outrigger Hotels and Wong's Draperies logged 50 years each. Hilo Hattie opens in Ala Moana Shopping Center June 1. Congratulations! Alas, many (too many) other businesses have added to Hawaii's record-breaking '97 bankruptcy clip.

Chaminade University's 34th Annual Hawaii Tax Institute will be held October 26-31 at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel. Plan now.

Time and money running out to save the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and Lowell Kalapa. Several innovative ideas have been floated to save this truly independent financial repository, but one isn't meritous. It would have Legislators pay "donations" with their taxpayer "office allowance" (@$5,000 per year), or have the Legislature provide an outright tax appropriation. The Foundation is a creation of business and must be maintained by the private sector alone. Have you helped yet?

With all our business frustrations and problems, let's take time out to get together at the Small Business Awards Luncheon, May 22.

It was great to see Kaiser's Chris Pablo, recently returned from extensive bone marrow therapy, enjoying the Padres-Cardinals games at Aloha Stadium April 19 with his family. He never lost his smile. And that should give us all something to smile about too.

Comments about anything you read in Small Business News can be addressed to:

Small Business Hawaii
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